Hosiery protector



Patented July 29, y1.9141

* y A2,250,7.ir4

UNITED STATES PATENT ori-#ICE l' Manent n. mena. Nennen, Wh.'

,application am.: lz. mi. sans No. :sam

' z calma (ci. n n) hosiery protectors.

The object ofthel invention is to provide a transparent splash-proof, easily applicable and comfortable legging for use ingrainy weather to protect the shoes and hosleryfv One of the particular objects of the invention has reference to an improved device of the char'- acter described in which the hose protector includ a. supplemental sole of rubber or the like beneath the fore part of the sole of the wearers shoe and preferably extending upwardly beneath the arch and to which the transparent legging is marginally secured in substantially watertight relation, whereby the supplemental sole serves to hold the legging at its forward end and to provide a firm anchorage 'and means for shaping the legging, and gives substantially the protection of a pair of rubbers without being nearly as conspicuous as a pair of rubbers or as apt to damage the footwear.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a'device embodying the invention as it' appears when worn.

Fig. 2 is a view of the device in perspective.

Fig. 3' is an enlarged view showing a detail taken in section on the une a-s of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary details similar to Fig. 3 showing modified types of connection into which. the margin I2 of the gaiter 1 extends and issecured by cement or stitching or both, as illustrated.

The auxiliary sole is upturned at I1 beneath v the arch of the wearers foot, and its marginal connection with the legging portion of the device is continuous to its end. This gives substantial. protection to the wearer equivalent to that which is secured by the wearing ofl rubbers. but the light, flexible, waterproof legging material used in the toe portion l0 of the'device is of such a nature that it cannot damage the wearer's shoe between the transparent legging or galter, and

the supplemental sole.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective of the may conveniently be made of a transparent waterproof silk, rubber, cellulose or other suitable material.' The forward margins of the legging or gaiter above the point 8 on the'instep are preferably detachably joined by the slide fastener 9. Forwardly of point 8 the toe portion III of the legging has a permanent seam at II. 'I'he lower .margins I2 of the legging are ,secured to the upturned margins I4 of an auxiliary sole I5 which .is preferably made of rubber or other relatively waterproof material. In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the margins of the legging are stitched at I8 to the side of the sole. In the construction shown in Fig. 4 they are cemented. In the construction shown in Fig. 5 the margin |40 of the auxiliary sole I5 is formed to provide a channel as might a heavy pair of rubbers and, unlike rubbers, the weight isy not carried by the toe of the wearers foot but is carried by the calf of the leg as will hereinafter be explainedq Furthermore, the fact that the legging is connected to the sole provides complete protection for the hose even as exposed 'in the open-work shoes commonly worn.

At its top the legging is turned upon itself and stitched to provide a deep hem at I8 in the rear portion of which is incorporated a band I9 of elastic. The sides and ends ofthe elastic, as Well as the material of the hem, are penetrated by rows of stitching 20 and 2| with the elastic under tension so that when the tension is released the material at the top of the legging portion of the device is shirred, as indicated at 22 in Fig. 6. This holds the top of the device .snugly tothe wearers leg above the calf, whereby the entire legging portion of the device is held l up under a slight tension to maintain itneatly hose from being mutilated by the slide taut and the weatherproof sole i5 is held to the under surface of the shoe without imposing any such stress on the toe of the shoe as might damage the most delicate footwear. x

In order that the device may be worn by a large number of persons without requiring any accuracy of fit, it is preferred to leave its lower end open at the heel so that the heel portion 23 of the/wearer's shoe is exposed. However, the exposure of the heel is not to be regarded as per se important to the invention.

An interior flap 24 secured to the tape at one side of the slidefastener 9 'is preferably employed as indicated in Fig. 6, to protect the fastener. I claim:` I

1. A legging of transparent material ladapted to substantially cover a wearers shoe'and that portion of the wearers leg below'the knee, said legging including a front-opening upper portion of, waterproof material adapted for loose conformity to the leg of a wearer, garter means coniined to the rear portion oi the top margin for the support of said legging above the calf of the wearer's leg. and a unitarily connected lower porterminating substantially forward of thewearers shoe heel and provided with an aperture extending from said shank portionrearwardly to permit the heel ofthe wearer-s shoe to project loosely therethrough, whereby tension which would otherwise exist between the heel and shankl portions of the wearer's shoe and the upper portions of the leggingl is eliminated, and the upper leg engaging portion does not substantially shift in respect to the leg oi' the wearer during use.

2. A leg and shoe protector of transparent material comprising a waterproof member including an upper leg-enclosing portion for extending above the wearers cali' in general conformity to .the leg of' the wearer and a lower shoe enclosing portion unitarily connected to said leg-en- Y closing portion, said member' being provided with an aperture adjacent said shoe enclosing portion sumciently large to allow the heel of the wearers shoe to project loosely therethrough with the elastic strip disposed in the hemmed margin'and having its ends secured to said hem and extending between points spaced circumferentially about the rear of said leg enclosing portion, the

unstretched length of' said strip being less than the circumferential spacing of the hem portions against the leg of the user, while said elastic carrying rear portion is shirred to provide snug engagement with the rear portion ioi'rthe user's leg.

MARGARET B. FINEGAN. 

